I play music live for a living in a duo with Mrs. Notes.

Most of my competitors are using Karaoke tracks. I make my own backing tracks. Sometimes with the help of BiaB, sometimes from scratch, depending on the song and how close I want to cover it. It's a lot more work than downloading a K track.

I guess I could accuse the karaoke track duos of cheating, but what would be the point?

My goal is to sound better than my competitors. I think my tracks sound better. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. wink

Regarding bands using The Wrecking Crew, The Swampers, or other studio musicians to record their songs, I suppose that could be cheating too. But it sells records. The bands then have to learn the licks the studio musicians played when they go live. Even The Beatles couldn't reproduce many of their songs live. Is that cheating?

I've done some, but not a great deal of studio recording, but enough to know there is a difference between playing in the fish tank or playing in stage. Some bands also have the studio skills, but not all do.

I'm amazed at the deep fakes, and feel that ethically, there should be some notification. But I know even if one was required, it wouldn't be universally used, and there is no way to enforce it.

Respect? Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?

When The Knickerbockers recorded “Lies”, it was so close in style that most people thought the song on the radio was actually recorded by The Beatles. Actually, I thought the band was tighter than the early Beatles.

We aren't going to answer the ethical questions here, although it's interesting to discuss them.

Me? I'm going to be amazed by the technology, and make a mental note not to believe what I see or hear. Then I'll go about my daily life, trying to get as much pleasure out of each day, for however many I have left. I have gigs to play, new songs to learn, food in the fridge, a roof over my head, a wonderful wife, I woke up this morning, and everything else is extra.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

Last edited by Notes Norton; 11/18/23 07:27 AM. Reason: speling misteaks
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